(a) the status of utilization of engineers and technologists and available infrastructure in developing cost effective, high quality designs for civilian aircraft;
(b) the steps taken to manufacture modern aircraft to meet the requirements of domestic airlines;
(c) whether the Government proposes to take new initiatives including private sector participation to promote and encourage the available potential for designing and manufacturing of passenger jets; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )
(a) :- Main agencies for design and manufacture of aircraft are Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and National Aerospace Laboratries (NAL) at Bangalore. These agencies employ engineers and technologists for the design and manufacture of civil aircraft.
(b):- Both HAL and NAL are approved as design organizations, competent to undertake projects of aircraft manufacture. However, at present there is no project to design and manufacture aircraft for domestic airline operations.
(c) & (d):- Aircraft designed and manufacture is open to private sector as well as public sector.
NAL has designed a twin engine 14 seater turbo-prop aircraft, which is presently under development. HAL has also developed 12 seater Dhruv helicopter, which can be used for public transportation. Presently, there is no private sector manufacturer engaged in regular production of passenger aircraft, including Jet aircraft.